The TV icon died today at 95. Like Andy Griffith —another recently departed figure who became a fixture in our living rooms doing frothy episodic television—Ernest Borgnine possessed a talent that was darker and deeper than many got to see. Check out the clip below from his Oscar-winning turn in Paddy Chayefsky’s “Marty.” Read more
It’s looking that way. Details: A day after a legislative body of the Episcopal Church voted to sell the denomination‘s New York headquarters amid budget cuts and declining membership, church leaders on Saturday adopted legislation to give transgenders the right to become lay and ordained ministers. At the church’s ongoing week-long General Convention in Indianapolis, Ind., the House of Bishops approved proposal that would amend two canons to prohibit discrimination based on “gender identity or expression” in the lay and ordained... Read more
In an interview sure to raise eyebrows — and blood pressures — one of the most prominent Catholic lay women at the Vatican, L’Osservatore Romano contributor Lucetta Scaraffia, has opened up about the role of women in the Church, and she doesn’t hold back. From Whispers: In an interview with Agence France-Presse published yesterday, Scaraffia (left) amplified points she first aired in a 2010 L’Osservatore piece — namely, that the lack of women in positions of ecclesial decision-making helped give rise to, among other... Read more
That’s the theme behind this delightful ad campaign from a credit card company in Australia. They placed a pair of sunglasses just outside the entrance to a shopping mall. Watch what happens when some honest souls take them to the Lost and Found. Read more
It sounds like something from The Onion, but no, it’s true: People can sell their souls on eBay? A New Mexico woman named Lori is doing just that, and bidding has already jumped from $100 to $405 in just a day. Describing it as a “slightly used soul,” Lori is offering buyers a “Carfax” so they can see the black and white marks her soul has accumulated over the years. Religious bidders can save Lori’s soul through conversion or prayer. Ebay eventually pulled the... Read more
Miami’s Archbishop Thomas Wenski published this column in his diocesan newspaper this week, and it bears reprinting: When I was a young seminarian, the rector, before dismissing us for our summer break, would admonish us: remember, guys, there’s no vacation from a vocation. This was certainly wise advice — we were after all still seminarians even when away from the structured environment of the seminary with its fixed times for prayer and daily Mass. And I think this is wise counsel... Read more
That would be these kind of spectacular precision moves, performed here earlier this week by soldiers on parade in Belarus. Are these guys available for children’s parties? Read more
For audio of this homily, click the green arrow below. [Click here for readings] Last week, you’ll remember, the gospel told us what faith could achieve – miracles that could even restore health and give life. But this week, we’re reminded of what happens when we lack faith. What happens is…nothing. When Jesus returned to his native place, those who knew him took offense. They lacked faith and, as the gospel notes, “he was not able to perform any mighty... Read more
The picture above was taken in 1966. Forty-six years later, the picture below depicts a brother, a priest and a bishop on a cattle drive in the same corner of the country. Read the story behind all this here, in a terrific post by Wyoming’s blogging bishop, Paul Etienne. Read more
If you have a hankering to make a blockbuster classic animated film, one of the people behind the new Disney/Pixar hit “Brave” has been tweeting what he learned at the drawing board. From the Wall Street Journal: For the past five years, Pixar has served as my film school. As a storyboard artist, working mainly on “Brave” but more recently on other projects, I had the privilege to collaborate with an incredible creative team. As we hashed out the details... Read more
The Deacon's Bench
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